Chapter 167: True Dragon (1)

I tightly shut the windows so the cold wind couldn’t get in.

I drink the Heat Tea, made from the dried leaves of the Fiery Heat Grass that adds warmth to the body.

For an ordinary person, the Heat Tea would provide a considerable warming sensation, but…

…for Moyong Hi-ah, it was only a mild level.

It just made her insides feel a bit warm.

Just one small leaf cost as much as a month’s worth of food for a farmer, and it was only a mild effect.

There was no greater luxury than this.

Even though the clan provided it, the cost for mere tea leaves, not even a spirit herb, was far too expensive.

“…Isn’t it ridiculous?”

Moyong Hi-ah, sipping the tea slowly, spoke with a bitter voice.

“What did I even do right to be drinking this? After losing without being able to do anything.”

“…Young Miss.”

“You don’t have to look at me with those eyes.”

Moyong Hi-ah glanced at her guest’s empty teacup and then poured it full with a ‘jjoreureuk’.

“Why have you come?”

“…”

“It seems like you’re in the middle of something busy. Is it okay if I don’t see you?”

The finals were probably happening right now.

It was a martial arts tournament that garnered so much attention that even Moyong Hi-ah, holed up in her room enduring the cold, could hear about it.

It would be especially crucial for the guest who had just arrived, Tang Soyeol.

Because it was that young man’s match.

“Miss Tang.”

“Yes….”

Moyong Hi-ah calmly gazed at Tang Soyeol’s face.

She had a cute appearance, with green hair that suited her well.

Her appearance was the complete opposite of my own cold demeanor, resembling that of a small, timid animal.

Moyong Hi-ah read the emotions in Tang Soyeol’s large eyes and then spoke.

“I know that you, Miss Tang, feel guilty towards me.”

“…”

“I’m a weak person, so I know how to take advantage of such things. I believe you, being a smart person, Miss Tang, already know this.”

Tang Soyeol offered no response to Moyong Hi-ah’s words, but…

…at this point, silence was affirmation.

The guilt Tang Soyeol felt towards Moyong Hi-ah.

Honestly, Moyong Hi-ah couldn’t understand it.

It wasn’t entirely her fault.

To be precise, her only fault was inheriting the Tang family name.

“Does what happened that day still weigh on you, Young Miss?”

“Not yet, but forever. It will be a burden I must carry even as much time passes.”

“Why?”

“Because I am, and always will be, a person of the Tang clan, and the suffering you, Young Miss Moyong, will endure is eternal.”

Suffering.

“Are you talking about mere scars on your back?”

The marks left on my back are invisible when wearing clothes.

Moreover, for nearly ten years, no one besides the servants who helped with daily life had seen them.

“I don’t think of them as ‘mere’.”

Tang Soyeol says that, but the Tang clan had already provided ample compensation.

The fact that I can drink this Heat Tea right now…

…and the reason Moyong Hi-ah is continuously attempting various trials and research for treating her frigid pulse condition were also greatly aided by the compensation provided by the Tang clan.

Of course, the result of the treatment was scars and the worsening of my coldness, but…

‘Even if I hadn’t attempted treatment, the difference wouldn’t have been that significant anyway.’

As a result, the compensation went to the clan, so it was fine.

Though, it wasn’t fine for others besides Moyong Hi-ah.

Especially my father, the clan head.

“So, is that why you came to see me on this important day?”

“…”

“Do you know what meaning this holds for me? You didn’t even apologize, you just came to visit.”

“Could my apology possibly mean anything to you, Young Miss…?”

“To be honest, it probably wouldn’t resonate deeply.”

It could even turn out negatively, seen as a cheap apology.

Tang Soyeol knew that too, which is why she came like this, but…

‘This is uncomfortable.’

Moyong Hi-ah just felt uncomfortable.

It wasn’t just this; it was also the letters Tang Soyeol sent every year from the Tang clan.

Every time Moyong Hi-ah met Tang Soyeol like this and saw her watching her reactions, it made Moyong Hi-ah uncomfortable.

If I had decided to exploit these feelings, it would have been helpful, but…

‘…Haa.’

Perhaps it’s because I know there’s no falsehood in Tang Soyeol’s heart.

Moyong Hi-ah found it somehow difficult to do so.

Even though I’m not in a position to hide or reveal anything.

“…I understand your feelings, Young Miss, but you don’t have to go out of your way like this.”

The Poison Phoenix is known for being fierce and principled towards others, unlike her cute appearance.

If one doesn’t know her true nature, her personality might seem off-putting to others.

Moyong Hi-ah was also closer to that side.

However, the Tang Soyeol I’ve encountered so far was someone quite soft-hearted.

‘The way she looked recently… she seemed quite different from before, though.’

Before, she seemed like a cute predator just by appearance, but now, she’s practically a squirrel.

Of course, judging by the way she acted towards Hwangbo Cheol-wi at the dormitory, her personality seemed unchanged, but…

Still, wouldn’t the way she acts when she’s with them now be closer to her true self?

More accurately, perhaps she’s just letting her true self show more.

Thinking that far, Moyong Hi-ah turned her gaze from Tang Soyeol, opened the closed window, and looked outside.

It was still winter.

Winter was still far from over.

Tang Soyeol’s winter seemed to have ended, but…

…my winter remained.

Even as seasons change and temperatures shift, I will continue to be cold.

Because that’s the life I’m destined for.

‘Would struggling change anything?’

Such a thought crossed my mind.

Perhaps struggling is meaningless.

Was I perhaps born just to be swept away and disappear in this cold wind?

“Young Miss Moyong?”

Perhaps it was my strange expression.

Tang Soyeol called out to Moyong Hi-ah worriedly.

Tang Soyeol was one of the few people who knew Moyong Hi-ah had the frigid pulse condition, so her reaction was understandable.

“Did you… perhaps get hurt somewhere because of the martial arts tournament?”

To Tang Soyeol’s question, Moyong Hi-ah let out a small laugh.

“No, I wasn’t hurt at all.”

It wasn’t a lie.

Because I truly wasn’t hurt anywhere.

I was engulfed by that massive flame, yet not a single spot was injured.

‘It means they controlled it perfectly.’

Could that even be called an attack?

In front of that young man, I was utterly powerless.

I knew I couldn’t win if we fought, but…

I still thought we could exchange a few blows.

‘The level was just too different.’

Was it last year? The person who shocked Moyong Hi-ah the most recently was the Sword Dragon.

The swordsmanship displayed by the young man embracing plum blossoms was truly awe-inspiring, enough to showcase what the Mount Hua Sect was all about.

Moyong Hi-ah thought that no disciple with even greater talent would appear after that young man.

The Sword Peak, the Sword Dragon, and the Hidden Dragon.

And furthermore, even Peng Woojin, the Divine Dragon.

There were already abundant geniuses whose names would be newly inscribed in the history of Zhongyuan with just one of them.

I never thought another existence surpassing them would appear.

But there was still someone who could overturn expectations.

Gu Yangcheon of Shanxi.

Moyong Hi-ah recalled the young man who burst forth from Shanxi, but…

…there were no words to describe him.

Even the broad term ‘genius’ couldn’t encompass his presence.

‘I just thought he was an unusual person.’

At first, he seemed overshadowed by the women around him, who shone so brightly and had such strong presences.

Unlike his appearance, I thought he was a man blessed with good fortune with women.

I thought he was someone with the ability to captivate people, unlike his martial talent, and that was about it.

Seeing his somewhat indifferent attitude and gaze towards me, someone confident in her own looks…

…I wondered if he competed using that kind of charm.

Indeed, Moyong Hi-ah found herself unconsciously drawn to him.

However, it didn’t take long to realize that it was my own misconception.

Hwangbo Cheol-wi and the Gu clan’s…

‘What was the name again.’

Since they were the same clan as Gu Yangcheon, it seemed to be Gu something.

I couldn’t remember well. He wasn’t a particularly important figure.

Anyway, during a brief friction at the dormitory.

Moyong Hi-ah could see it.

That the entire group was watching Gu Yangcheon’s reactions.

Even though someone else was facing Hwangbo Cheol-wi, the very act of watching Gu Yangcheon’s reaction…

…revealed who the center of the group was.

After some more time passed like that.

I could ascertain a clear fact.

Gu Yangcheon wasn’t being overshadowed by the presences around him.

He was hiding his own presence.

‘So brightly that one couldn’t see him.’

Moyong Hi-ah touched her chest, recalling the flame from the previous day.

It was because the sensation from that moment came back to her.

The warmth Moyong Hi-ah felt when facing Gu Yangcheon’s fervor on the martial arts stage.

‘…Was it… a misconception?’

That moment when the bone-chilling cold vanished, replaced by warmth filling my chest.

When I first came to my senses, I thought it was a delusion.

Wouldn’t it be?

If the coldness could disappear just before a blazing flame…

…my life wouldn’t have been this cold and lonely.

It must have just been a momentary delusion before that vast flame.

That’s what I thought.

But.

‘…Maybe.’

Human hope naturally sprouts from even the smallest things.

It was like parched land yearning for water; hope seeps in even with a tiny stream, but…

…Moyong Hi-ah’s emotions had long frozen over, making it difficult to believe and act upon it.

“Young Miss Moyong, are you really okay? Should I call someone?”

Tang Soyeol kept asking if Moyong Hi-ah’s reaction was strange.

Moyong Hi-ah fell silent as if lost in thought for a moment, then looked at Tang Soyeol and opened her mouth.

“Miss Tang.”

“Yes…?”

“Could you perhaps… do me a favor….”

Knock knock.

As soon as Moyong Hi-ah started to speak, footsteps were heard from outside.

-Young Lady.

The owner of the voice was Tang Soyeol’s attendant.

“What is it? I’m still talking with Young Miss Moyong.”

Tang Soyeol frowned slightly, seemingly displeased by the attendant’s appearance.

Perhaps sensing a hint of irritation in Tang Soyeol’s voice, the attendant’s tone became cautious, but…

…the matter seemed important.

-It’s just that… you asked me to tell you after the martial arts tournament ended.

As soon as the attendant finished speaking, Tang Soyeol quickly jumped up and opened the door.

Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes widened at the sudden movement, which was just the icing on the cake.

“H-how did it go?”

She seemed incredibly curious, judging by how urgently she asked.

It seemed her earlier statement of ‘it’s okay if I don’t go see’ was a lie.

“Ah… well, Young Master Gu won…”

“…!!”

Tang Soyeol stretched her hands towards the sky and shouted.

She looked so delighted that she even shouted like that.

“Ah… Ah… I’m sorry.”

Realizing her reaction was perhaps a bit excessive, Tang Soyeol covered her mouth with her hands and shrunk back.

At that sight, Moyong Hi-ah let out a rare, audible laugh.

Perhaps thinking she was being laughed at, Tang Soyeol’s face flushed slightly with embarrassment.

‘Can one change that much?’

Or perhaps, can one be that happy?

It was something Moyong Hi-ah couldn’t know.

“Ah… Young Miss Moyong. What was it you were going to ask me just now?”

“It’s nothing.”

Moyong Hi-ah, who was about to speak, swallowed her words again.

Because she thought now wasn’t the time to say it.

“I’ll come find you later.”

“What? You, Young Miss Moyong?”

“Because something seems to have come up that requires me to visit.”

Rather than asking Tang Soyeol, it seemed better to go find her myself.

Because Tang Soyeol’s smile looked far too happy to leverage her guilt for a request.

“Hurry and go. Before it gets any later.”

At Moyong Hi-ah’s words, Tang Soyeol hesitated for a moment, then…

…bowed slightly in greeting and hurried out the door.

Moyong Hi-ah watched her retreating figure quietly, closed her eyes, and lay back down.

For some reason, I felt like sleeping a little right now.

---

Leaving the room where Moyong Hi-ah was, Tang Soyeol hurried her steps.

Otherwise, I couldn’t stand the overwhelming stuffiness.

‘Young Master won.’

I thought Gu Yangcheon, whom I had seen, would win.

I fell for those fierce eyes and felt moved, because I recently learned his martial arts were just as formidable.

He was stronger than any late-stage disciple the Poison Phoenix Tang Soyeol had ever seen, so even while thinking it was a natural victory…

…I felt inexplicably excited.

I wondered why I was so happy about someone else’s victory, but…

Tang Soyeol couldn’t contain her emotions.

“I have to hurry and congratulate him.”

Should I just say it?

Should I give him a gift?

If I recall correctly, it was Gu Yangcheon’s first Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.

‘…Do I still have any Poison Herbs?’

Tang Soyeol possessed herbs that were exceptionally helpful for boosting internal energy and recovering from fatigue.

I had saved them carefully, but I could give something like this to Gu Yangcheon without hesitation.

The only issue is that they’re a bit potent.

Since I’m here, he should be able to neutralize it.

As I approached the tent with excited steps…

-Ah, so you mean he’s not here right now?

Voices could be heard coming from the direction of Gu Yangcheon’s tent.

“Hm?”

Tang Soyeol shifted her gaze towards the sound, spotting two familiar faces.

One was Wi Seol-ah, Gu Yangcheon’s cherished attendant, who subtly exuded a hard-to-approach aura.

And the other was…

‘A beggar…?’

It was Chui Ong, a beggar from the Beggars’ Sect who appeared at the annual banquet.

Chui Ong was someone Tang Soyeol had often encountered as well.

I didn’t particularly like his demeanor, always humbling himself excessively, but…

…I considered him quite capable when it came to information.

‘Why is someone like that talking to Wi Seol-ah?’

While Tang Soyeol pondered this, Wi Seol-ah replied to Chui Ong.

“Young Master isn’t here right now!”

“…Darn, this was the perfect timing. Then perhaps, you don’t even know when he’ll return?”

“Nope!”

“…Ggggrrr.”

Judging by the reaction, it seemed he had come immediately after hearing that Gu Yangcheon had won.

Still, you have to admit the Beggars’ Sect is quick on their feet for matters like this.

Tang Soyeol watched this unfold before approaching with slightly calmer steps.

She intended to handle this matter herself, as she’d be better at it than the attendant, Wi Seol-ah.

“Grumph, perhaps I was too hasty. I distinctly heard him say we’d talk again after the martial arts tournament…”

Had arrangements already been made with Gu Yangcheon?

Tang Soyeol cleared her throat and approached Chui Ong, but…

“Then, when the True Dragon (眞龍) arrives, could you relay a message? That Chui Ong of the Beggars’ Sect came by.”

At Chui Ong’s words, Tang Soyeol stopped in her tracks.

As if she misheard, rolling her eyes forcefully.

‘What did he just say?’

True Dragon…?